WoTS parrot takes flight: Würth Elektronik about the components

The World of Technology & Science 2022 trade fair gadget is the 'WoTS parrot'. This electronic parrot records voices and then plays them back in distorted form. There is a whole team behind the creation of this gadget. The team behind the electronic parrot is discussed in an interview series. Vice President Würth Elektronik eiSos Group Niels Braams van Würth Elektronik Nederland BV  (stand no. 9A040) explains how the components were chosen.

A lot of thought went into the gadget. “It was already discussed in 2019 for the E&A fair, the trade fair for industrial electronics in the Netherlands, but the corona crisis threw a spanner in the works,” says Braams. “Ultimately, the members of the exhibition committee decided to present the gadget during WoTS 2022. The parrot idea came out on top. My Belgian colleague immediately contacted me Dekimo. This party is at the basis of the development of the parrot. We have encouraged them to use our stock of components.”

In total it has Würth Elektronik  delivered approximately seven components that are incorporated into the gadget. “We have supplied a filter component in the form of the WCAP-CSGP General Purpose MLCC and a Mini Slide Switch switch and a Quartz Crystal that generates the clock signal on the PCB,” Braams explains. “The ESD protection in the form of the TVS Diode Array also comes from us. The MagI³C Power Module Variable Step Down MicroModule regulates the necessary voltages and currents for the parrot. The SMT Full-color Reverse mount Waterclear LED serves as the eye of the gadget. The SMT Mono-color Side view Waterclear LED was chosen for the control LED.”

Sponsors
The selection of these components was an intensive process, Braams explains: “The goal was not to make FHI bear the costs and to save them the purchasing process. As a component manufacturer, we looked together with the exhibitors at how we could keep the gadget affordable. By looking for sponsors, we managed to get components for the parrot together.”

In collaboration with Dekimo, components have been chosen that are in stock and quickly available. “We have gone through all the specifications. We used this to determine the feasibility of the parrot. All components we supply are available at short notice. Finding these parts was easy because we have a live database. We have direct insight into our stock and can guarantee that we have the desired components,” he says.

Component scarcity
The choice of components is an important job. There is a shortage of materials and components in the industrial electronics sector. “Scarcity is a big problem. We have taken this theme seriously and discussed it extensively with Dekimo. As soon as it was decided to choose a particular component, we immediately reserved it.”

Once reserved, these parts were blocked and therefore no longer available to customers. Some components were difficult to deliver and the delivery time at the time of design varied from sixteen to twenty weeks and sometimes up to a year. “It is therefore essential that you select the right products,” Braams concludes.

Name
Niels Braams
Organization
Würth Elektronik Nederland BV 
Parrot project function
Components supply and selection
Job description
Vice President Würth Elektronik eiSos Group